Mikhail Odintsov out, Natan Schulte to face teammate Raush Manfio

Raush Manfio Photo via PFL Natan Schulte has one more chance to make the 2021 PFL playoffs and he’ll have to go through a friend to do it.

The league announced Monday that Mikhail Odintsov has been forced to withdraw due to injury from his lightweight bout against Schulte, which was scheduled for PFL 4 this Thursday at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. Schulte (20-4-1) now fights American Top Team teammate Raush Manfio (12-3).

Thursday’s fight is a do-or-die situation for Schulte, a two-time league champion. Schulte lost by unanimous decision to Marcin Held at PFL 1 in April and currently sits outside of the top-4 of the PFL standings. Only four fighters will advance to the playoffs…